How to be a beginner

I am not a yogi, nor do I practice yoga. Well maybe once a year at most, just to test it out, but absolutely no committment or no plan!

Yet I am very interested in it. I love talking to people who practice to hear about their experiences, especially understanding what they get out of it. I also enjoy reading about it. Various kinds of books, ones with the traditions and history explained or ones where the corporate executive becomes enlightened and leaves her million dollar job behind to set up a yoga school to spread the word and enlighten others.

Behind yoga there is a steep history and it is very rich. The learnings seem so simple yet somehow incredibly hard.

Its all about breathing and being kind to the body.

It seems to be about understanding your limits and respecting them.

It seems to encourage strength building in the mind and the body. At the same time. Harmoniously.

One excerpt of the book that particulary resonated as I was reading it last night, was about learning or more precisely how to learn.

This is how it read:

How to be a beginner:
1. Try not to assume. Unpack your expectations. Some days are better than others. Be content with your practice that day.
2. Focus on the important things: your breath, your attitude, and how you feel.
3. Be greateful there are still some things you are not good at. Hurray for learning!
4. Be comfortable with what you don't know, because there is a lot more of it.

These 4 tips were all associated with yoga, yet they clearly apply to all aspects of life.

I have printed these out and put them on my desk where I can see them. I woudl like to remind myself of these principles. I know I am not very kind with myself. I can be very unforgiving of myself when I am not meeting my expectations or standards. If something does not go to plan, I can be very harsh and being greatful in these incidences, seems a long way off.
I also believe I should know everything about what I do, but here it reminds me to be comfortable with not knowing and even more so, accept that there is a ton more I dont know and that is a good thing.

So a long way to go for me?

What about you?

Does this resonate in any way?

Do you see the application to yoga and to life?

Do tell...........